The Chef here with an unlikely ally to help beat the summer heat. Vinegar based drinks (or “Shrubs”) date back all the way to Victorian times, and have been a great refresher during the brutal summer days. It’s also a great alternative to a cocktail. This is a “mocktail” that really lets you feel the fancy. (*Wife interrupts*Pinkies up! We’re especially looking at you pregnant moms! You shouldn’t have to sacrifice sophistication and all the fun. And it’s a little bit classier than the classic “Shirley Temple”.) A combination of premium vinegar diluted with water, a touch of sugar, herbs, and bitters can result in a crisp revitalizing drink. We can guarantee weird looks from your friends faces if you say “hey, come over for some vinegar drinks”, but if you whip them up, let them sip, look at their glass with bewilderment because they’ve never tasted anything like this before (in a good way), and THEN you tell them, you’ll be labeled as innovative and a trend setter.
We’ll give you the basic recipe for two separate recipes but it’s all up to taste on how strong/tart/sweet you want it. The possibilities are endless.
The raspberry wine vinegar shrub is a little tarter than the champagne vinegar shrub. Both are seriously delicious, but if you are wanting more of a POW, go with the red wine vinegar shrub. If you want a lighter and more refreshing drink, champagne vinegar is your pal.
- 1/4 cup raspberry wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup blood orange juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 1-2 drops of aromatic bitters
- Kumquat & basil for tasting garnish
- Combine all the ingredients together in a large glass/shaker and stir or shake. Let it sit for a few minutes to let the sugar dissolve a bit. Pour and serve over ice. Garnish as needed
- 1/4 cup champagne vinegar
- 3/4 cup tonic water
- 4 Tbsp sugar
- 1-2 drops of aromatic bitters
- Lemon zest, raspberry, and mint for tasting garnish
- Combine and stir all ingredients in a large glass/shaker. Let it sit for a few minutes to let the sugar dissolve. Pour and serve over ice in desired glass. Garnish as needed. Enjoy!
Does this scare you? Are you interested? The Wife definitely had a crinkle in her nose when I first proposed the idea of the drinks. We had friends over at the time (as we usually guinea pig our friends), and they quite enjoyed them. Bringing it back, old school style… with a twist. A lemon twist maybe.
Let us know how you like it when you try it!!
-The Chef
hannah says
I’d like to point out that this is not non-alcoholic due to the use of bitters… but maybe you know that… but whoever linked this post in their non-alcoholic list article was not paying attention. I’m sure they are yummy
thank you